BROCKTON – The state completed the purchase of the former Christo’s restaurant on behalf of Massasoit Community College earlier this week.

The 16,287-square-foot building sold for $1.7 million, according to the state Division of Capital Management and Maintenance. Records maintained by the Brockton Assessors Department showed the landmark property was valued at just under $1.3 million.

The sale has cleared the way for the site to become the home of Massasoit’s new Allied Health and Science Building, a $27.4 million project that was announced by Gov. Deval Patrick in November while he was visiting the city.

The building, which will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, will house the college’s nursing, respiratory care and radiological technology programs.

Laurie Maker, a spokeswoman for Massasoit, said the college will be holding an event to unveil the construction plans and timetable for the project soon.

The deal is not the first time that Massasoit has acquired a former Christo’s property.

In June 1997, Massasoit acquired Christo’s II, a function hall next to the restaurant that the college turned into the Massasoit Conference Center.

That property was purchased by the Division of Capital Management and Maintenance for $1.55 million.

Christo’s closed its doors for the last time on Dec. 31 after a half-century of feeding guests.

The landmark Brockton restaurant was founded by Christos Tsaganis, dubbed the “Greek Salad King” by former Gov. Michael Dukakis, and became a local favorite over its 50-year history.

Owners Gigi Johnson and Maria Samson, daughters of Tsaganis, are planning to open a “Christo’s to Go!” restaurant on Bedford Street in Whitman.

The new location will only offer take-out service, with benches for waiting customers but no tables. Initial foods will include Christo’s signature Greek salad, salad dressing, soup, pizza, dessert and prepared family meals.